HOPE Vol. 6 No. 2 winter 2011

2 HOPE // WINTER 2011
The Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
For information about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, contact Sister Barbara
Doherty, coordinator of the Office of the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore
Guerin, Providence Hall, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
47876-1007 or 812-535-2925 or bdoherty@spsmw.org.
More than a job
Mark Ross (left) and Carl Dougherty are just two of the many construction workers who have helped to renovate
Providence Hall. Both men indicated that all the workers felt that this renovation was so much more than a job. Read
more about their experience on page 6. Mark is the Garmong Construction job site supervisor, and Carl is the
Sycamore Engineering mechanical general foreman. (Photo by Cheryl Casselman)
www.SistersofProvidence.org 3
HOwithinPE
Features
Cover story 4
Our home
Construction 6
Workers proud of their labor
Thank you 7
In their own words
Chapel and spirituality
A place for prayer
Construction progress 23
Snapshots of the renovation
Departments
Her-story 12
Sustainable living 13
Partners in our mission 14
Alumnae/i news 16
Newsnotes 18
Obituaries 20
Upcoming events 22
Mission Statement:
The purpose of HOPE is to extend the energy and power
of Providence to our friends by sharing information about
the mission, spirituality and ministries of the Sisters of
Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Volume 6 • No. 2
winter 2011
Executive Editor:
Sister Rosemary Schmalz
Editors:
Sister Ann Casper and
Diane Weidenbenner
Copy Editor:
Sister Cordelia Moran
Publication
Manager/Designer:
Connie McCammon
Cover Photos:
Archives, Connie McCammon
Cover Designer:
Pam Lynch
Editorial Board:
Rosie Blankenship, Christina Blust,
Cheryl Casselman, Dave Cox,
Sue Heck, Becky Igo,
Sister Jeanne Knoerle,
Sister Bernice Kuper,
Sandy Scroggins, Sister Joan Zlogar
Contact Information:
Office of Congregational
Advancement,
1 Sisters of Providence,
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876
For change of address:
cdavis@spsmw.org or 812-535-2804
Website:
www.SistersofProvidence.org
Children’s website:
www.WoodsUp.com
Printed on recycled paper
See us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube!
Follow our blogs!
Page 14
Page 7
Page 18
On the cover:
The cornerstone of Providence Hall
was laid July 26, 1889, during the
administration of Mother Mary
Euphrasie Hinkle. The stone with
the word “home” on it came from
the foundation of the convent Saint
Mother Theodore Guerin built in 1853.
10
4 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Cover story
Our home
uick! What image comes to mind when you hear the word “home?”
Ask a Sister of Providence and she will most likely reply “Saint Mary-of-
the-Woods.” Since 1851, when Saint Mother Theodore Guerin wrote
to her sisters, “Once more I have the pleasure of calling you home for our
retreat,” we have called these hallowed grounds home.
In addition to the Woods itself, however, Sisters of Providence living today have home-like
roots in a building that has stood at the heart of our motherhouse since 1890 — Providence
Hall. Its imposing three-story brick structure with its interior of wrought iron balustrades,
Q
Story by Sister Ann Casper, graphics by Pam Lynch
Continued on page 5
www.SistersofProvidence.org 5
H original tile floors, etched windows and massive,
built-in wooden cupboards almost belies the usual
image of home.
What a challenge, then, when it became obvious to
the General Council that this
huge home needed to be totally
renovated to accommodate the
needs of sisters who are now re-tired,
many with limited mobil-ity,
but still wanting to be active
and independent. After Congre-gation
members fully endorsed
the project, a capital campaign
effort — Providence Hall:
Preserving Life and Mission —
began in May of 2009. To date,
$5,206,047.52 has been raised
toward meeting the $6,000,000
capital campaign goal.
The capital campaign is more
than raising money to renovate
brick and mortar. It’s about making an investment
for our sisters who are retired and directing resources
to make their lives a bit easier and their surround-ings
more home-like. Providing a safe, secure and
comfortable home seems a worthy enterprise, given
each sister’s 50 and 60 years or more of ministry
and service.
Consider what you enjoy and do in your own home
— these are the same hopes we have in renovating
our Providence Hall home.
Cooking. Although all the sisters’ meals are served
in a common dining room, the renovation plans
include two kitchenettes on each floor. Oh, and
how these spacious kitchenettes will be buzzing
when sister-bakers and jelly-makers prepare their
home-cooked specialties for our annual bake sale in
November and for Earth Day in April, or when they
concoct birthday or holiday treats during the year.
Sleeping and personal care. Ask the sisters who
await moving back to Providence Hall and they’ll
probably tell you that the thing they are most
excited about is the reconfigured bedroom space
that now includes a private bathroom. Gone will
be the nights when an elder sister has to traverse
long corridors aided by a walker or a cane or has to
“fire up” her motorized scooter, hoping the battery
doesn’t die on the way.
Relaxing and enjoying leisure. In your home, you
may do this in a family or living room. We sisters
refer to the places we are most likely to gather as
community rooms. The plans
include one large one on the main
floor of Providence Hall and a
few smaller ones on the resident
floors. These community rooms
are places where some sisters will
gather to watch TV, while oth-ers
will play cards or engage in a
highly-contested game of Scrab-ble
®, put together one of those
1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles or just
sit and chat.
Praying. One room that most
people do not have in their own
homes, but that you will find in
the renovated Providence Hall
home, is a chapel. When the
sisters were consulted about their needs they made
it very clear that they wanted the chapel to remain.
And remain it will — enhanced with stronger light-ing,
new carpet and a fresh coat of paint. When the
sisters return to their home, I suspect they will first
want to visit the chapel and, as Saint Mother Theo-dore
Guerin did when she arrived at the Woods in
1840, “pray and thank God for past favors and for
all our benefactors” who will make the renovation
possible.
Continued from page 4
How you can help
Please use the envelope provided if you would
like to assist the Sisters of Providence in provid-ing
this home for our sisters who are retired.
Keep updated
For more about the renovation of Providence
Hall and to keep up to date on progress
with the capital campaign, subscribe to our
e-newsletter Providence Partners on our web-site.
Visit SistersofProvidence.org and look for
the e-newsletter signup box on the right side
of the page.
6 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Construction
Workers proud of their labor
Not just another project …
Story and photos by Cheryl Casselman
“It’s a neat old building,” Mark Ross said about
Providence Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. “The
customer just makes it a little more special.”
The customer is the Sisters of
Providence and Mark is the
Garmong Construction job
site supervisor overseeing the
renovation of this historic build-ing
and home for many retired
Sisters of Providence.
“What’s been surprising is how
much they’ve been involved.”
Mark said. “It’s not like a
customer you never see or speak
to. That’s been a pleasant sur-prise.”
Mark, of Terre Haute, said
there have been about 40 con-struction
workers involved in the
project that began in November
2009.
“I think when you tell them how
old the building is, who owns
the building and who it’s for,
surely that has a tendency to
take on a little more meaning
than just another building we’re
remodeling,” he said.
Carl Dougherty, of Terre Haute,
is the project’s mechanical
general foreman with Sycamore
Engineering.
“Knowing who is going to live there and the envi-ronment
it’s in makes you a little more conscious
of the job you’re doing,” he said.
Carl’s wife, Mary Beth, attends St. Joseph Catho-lic
Church in Terre Haute and occasionally attends
Liturgy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She went to
St. Margaret Mary Grade School and Shulte High
School in Terre Haute.
“We come out here with our dog [Hoosier] and walk
around to see the alpacas and stuff,” Carl said. “She
asks how the nuns are doing and
we talk about this place all the
time. She wants to see the build-ing;
so I’ll bring her out here to
see it when it’s done.”
Mark’s wife, Marsha, joined him
for Garmong Construction’s vol-unteer
day in August. Employees
and their families planted flowers
and plants in the Providence Hall
courtyard.
“We’ll have to bring the grand-daughter
out and let her see the
alpacas,” Mark added.
Carl said it’s been a nice place to
work.
“I think all the contractors got
along really well. If we have a
problem we put our heads togeth-er
to figure out where everybody
needs to be and what needs to be
done. I think that’s gone well. I
think profanity was way down for
a construction site,” Carl joked.
Mark said he’s more than pleased
with this project.
“I have a list of the jobs that I’m
most proud of in my career and this one took over
the number one spot,” Mark said.
Top photo: Mark Ross is the Garmong Construction job
site supervisor. Bottom photo: Carl Dougherty is the
Sycamore Engineering mechanical general foreman.
H
www.SistersofProvidence.org 7
In their own words
Thank you
Interviews by Rosie Blankenship
Note: Sisters Ruth Johnson, Anita Bechert, Richard
Bussing and Louise Schroeder were recently inter-viewed
about their memories of Providence Hall.
All four expressed gratitude to the many donors who
are making their “new” home a reality.
Sister Ruth Johnson
Sister Ruth Johnson has been a Sister of Providence
for 61 years. She has lived in Providence Hall since
the 1990s.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“When we left our own homes and came to Indiana
— to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods — Providence Hall
became our community home. We were connected
to it with that kind of
a spirit of: this is the
place where I stay,
where I learn and
where I become ac-quainted
with what my
Congregation is going
to tell me about itself.
It was very special. I
can say that my expe-rience
with Providence
was a changing one. It
was always different.
It provided different
kinds of experiences, each with its own memory,”
she said.
“You connect in a special way to the people, learn
different personalities. You come up against so
many different people than you would have in your
daily life at home. There are just a lot of things to
encounter.”
What are you excited about in your new home?
“I’m excited because the very thought of people
that have become our friends and were our friends to
begin with have come to support us and to provide
not only better circumstances for us, but also good
living arrangements for people who will come after
us, so that it will be a lasting place to stay. From
time to time, these buildings do have to be renovated
and made secure and safe. Our friends are doing
that for us. There is a lot of energy put into Provi-dence,
I believe, from the builders to the contribu-tors.
That energy is not going to go away. It is going
to stay. We are going to be part of that. In turn, we
are going to be able to reach out spirit-wise to those
people who have helped us, and hopefully make their
lives a little better and closer to us through our con-tact
and our care for them. Our prayers always will
go with those people who have touched our lives in
a special way. I am excited about that.”
What does the renovation of Providence Hall
mean to you?
“It means that we are not coming to a standstill.
The building that has been so historic for us and
so memorable is not going to be left to waste away
on its own, but that other people have a say in this.
They really do want to see it be a lasting thing, not
only for our community, but for the world commu-nity
as a whole. As any historic building, they are
going to restore it and keep it because of all of the
energy that has been put into it from Mother Theo-dore’s
time up to this time.”
What would you like to say to the donors and
people who have supported in other ways the
renovation of Providence Hall?
“Not only is this our home, but it belongs to people,
too. It belongs to them in the way that they always
have a place to come, to meet us, to perhaps have a
meal with us, to come and share the grounds with
us, to be reflective in their own lives, to have a place
of solace — whatever they need at that time. We are
here for them and we offer our hospitality and our
grounds and personal attention.”
Continued on page 8
8 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Continued from page 7
Sister Anita Bechert
Sister Anita has been a Sister of Providence for 64
years. She has been a resident of Providence Hall
for the last 18 years and for 25 years total in her
life.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“I think really my best one is that the Blessed Sacra-ment
Chapel is closer there [than from my room in
Owens Hall]. That is
my favorite place to
go because I feel these
years are my years of
life with God.”
During a retreat several
years ago, Sister Anita
made a promise to God
that she would keep
daily prayer to him.
“Towards the end of
my retreat, I was sitting
upstairs in the Blessed
Sacrament Chapel. All of a sudden, coming across
my little head was, ‘and what have you done since
you have been home?’ The next day, I got the same
message. The next day, I got the third message.
When the third message comes, you decipher it! I
said, ‘OK, I will be here every day for 15 minutes,
if not more. I don’t know when or how, but I will
get here.’ I have been able to do that, even when I
went to California to visit my sister.”
What are you excited about in your new home?
“I am excited about a new and larger bedroom and
a full bath!”
What does the renovation of Providence Hall
mean to you?
“It means I will have more space, even to sit and
pray. … My room there was small. My room here
[in Owens Hall] is even smaller! … This room, I
guess you could say, should bring peace.”
What would you like to say to the donors and
people who have supported in other ways the
renovation of Providence Hall?
“I would like to thank them for their generosity —
their great generosity — and they will continually
be in my prayers at Mass, the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel and Mother Theodore’s Shrine.”
Sister Richard Bussing
Sister Richard has been a Sister of Providence for
70 years. She has most recently lived in Providence
Hall since 2004, but also lived there during the late
1970s and early ’80s when she worked as a nurse’s
aide.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“I love the dining room because it was like a gather-ing
place for the people from the Infirmary and
even north, south, east and west. We always met
there and told stories. I miss that here [in Owens
Hall].
“It was always close to everything. If you wanted
to be near someone, you could go downstairs to the
first floor. And the
chapel. It was always
accessible to the out-side,
the nurses if you
needed help, and the
people in the Infir-mary.”
What are you excited
about in your new
home?
“It will just be won-derful
to get back and
to live there. … I didn’t want it at first — to move
out for construction — but now you see how it is
done — nice and quiet and fast. … I think this is the
neatest and quietest job I’ve ever seen,” she said.
“It will be nice to have bathrooms and phone lines!”
What would you like to say to the donors and
people who have supported in other ways the
renovation of Providence Hall?
“We are all so grateful for what they have done and
the sacrifices they have made to give it to us. We
appreciate everything that is being done and we will
pray constantly, I’m sure, for their welfare and their
health.”
See OWN WORDS on page 9
www.SistersofProvidence.org 9
Sister Louise Schroeder
Sister Louise has been a Sister of Providence for 67
years. She has lived in Providence Hall since 1991.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“The beautiful scenery we could get, no matter
which way we looked outdoors. Also, the unique
architecture of the
building, which they
really have preserved.
At the time when they
built the building, they
did not have machin-ery
and lifts and you
wonder how they
ever made those thick
walls — and three or
four stories of them!
I am very happy as
this renovation goes
on, they are going to
preserve some of the unique things. For instance,
the Tile Hall was always Tile Hall on all three
floors. Then we had the unique woodworking, not
just around the windows and the doors, but even on
the stairways, the little railings, very delicate, very
artistic. They are going to preserve them, and we
are very happy about that. It will keep the name of
Providence Hall as it was. A lot of the atmosphere,
the peaceful atmosphere and the “home sweet
home” atmosphere, included the older sisters, the
sisters that were there before we were. You just felt
welcome there and it was home.”
What you are excited about in your new home?
“I’m anxious to see the changes and what they
kept. They have told us about it, but it is different
when you see it. I am sure the changes that they
made were for our good — more space and more
modern things that we are used to, which they
didn’t have in the olden days.”
What would you say to the supporters who are
helping to make this renovation possible?
“I would say a great big THANK YOU in capital
letters. Tell them to come and see, so we can give
them a grand tour!”
Own words
Continued from page 8
H
Providence Associates make commitments
Providence Associate Jennifer Drake (right)
of Hamilton, Ohio, and her companion,
Sister Mary Morley of Cincinnati, pres-ent
the gifts during the Eucharistic Liturgy
at the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on
Nov. 13 in the Church of the Immaculate
Conception. On this day of celebration, 20
Providence Candidate-Associates made their
first commitments while 60 Providence As-sociates
renewed their commitments. During
the fall, there were also renewal ceremonies
in California, Kentucky, Minnesota, New
Mexico, Oregon, Chicago, Indianapolis and
Fort Wayne, Ind. In October, Lilia Samson
Huang became the third Providence Associate
in Taiwan. (Photo by Connie McCammon)
Chapel and spirituality
A place for prayer
10 HOPE // WINTER 2011
By Becky Igo
The sisters who will be returning “home” to Provi-dence
Hall once the renovation is complete will also
return home to a small, renovated chapel located on
the second floor.
Although months of effort to rethink, rewire and re-habilitate
Providence Hall will one day come to an
end, the sisters know well what occurs within the
Providence Hall chapel is never-ending. Just like
faith and hope and love.
The Providence Hall chapel serves as a place that
brings the sisters — individually and in groups —
together for special devotions, prayer or meditation.
“The chapel was set up when access to the Church
of the Immaculate Conception was restricted,” said
Sister Ann Stephen Stouffer, director of Residential
Life and administrator of Providence Hall at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods.
In 1986, the Church of the Immaculate Conception
underwent restoration not only to conform with the
liturgical norms of the Second Vatican Council, but
also to strengthen the floor joists.
Research by Sister Marie Esther Sivertsen, an
Archives assistant, reveals records noting “a chapel
was set up in Room 223 [of Providence Hall]” dur-ing
the time of the church’s renovation. The original
purpose of the chapel was to “replace (temporarily)
the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, presumably because
the hallway was filled with pews from the church.”
The Providence Hall chapel, according to Sister
Marie Esther’s research, “opened” July 7, 1986.
The sisters loved the little chapel and its location
made it convenient for frequent visits. When the
church and the original Blessed Sacrament Chapel
were reopened, it was decided to retain the small
chapel on Providence Hall’s second floor. “They
[the sisters] had to petition to keep the chapel
there,” Sister Ann Stephen said.
Prior to the current Providence Hall renovation,
Sister Ann Stephen said she would see sisters at the
chapel. “I would see sisters there or together as a
group for morning and evening prayers,” she said.
“One group met here and another would meet on
the sun porches [of Providence Hall]. [The chapel]
was used on a daily basis,” Sister Ann Stephen said.
“It was used for small, personal reflections or shar-ing
or gathering together to pray the Rosary. It made
it inviting because everyone could take part.”
Dimensions of the chapel will remain the same after
This Archives photo shows sisters in prayer in the chapel
in Providence Hall.
See PRAYER on page 11
www.SistersofProvidence.org 11
renovation, although it will be “a little bit wider,”
Sister Ann Stephen said, looking over copies of
blueprints. The chapel’s room size makes it “more
intimate,” she explained.
There will also be lighter,
brighter renovated Providence
Hall sun porches — one above
the east door on the third floor
and another above the east door
on the second floor.
“There will also be a gathering
place on the second floor in a
corner section of the building,
and updated kitchenettes, where
sisters can ‘share time,’” according to Sister Ann
Stephen. There will also be a first floor conference
room and an activities room, the latter designated
as space where sisters can do arts and crafts, among
other things.
Although there will be new paint, along with new
pieces of furniture and fixtures, the renovated
Providence Hall will have many pieces of the same
furnishings found at various locations on the moth-erhouse
grounds. Shannan Spence, an interior deco-rator,
worked with the sisters to ensure that, Sister
Ann Stephen said. A Providence
Associate, Camille Snyder, will
also help to reassemble the
rooms.
With the renovation, it was
important that Providence Hall,
including the chapel, retain a
connection as “home.”
“One of the things that we hear
from the sisters, who moved
from Providence Hall during the
renovation, is when they do move
back they want it to be like home,” Sister Ann
Stephen said. “I think they will be happy with what
it will look like. I feel like we did preserve the
atmosphere of home.”
The Providence Hall
chapel serves as a place
that brings the sisters
… together for special
devotions, prayer or
meditation.
“
”
Prayers
Continued from page 10
H
Phonathon just around the corner
Christmas is over; no more thinking about gifts!
But, wait, that is just what the Sisters of Provi-dence
want you to do — think about making a
gift to support our Annual Fund and saying yes to
the volunteer who calls you during our 2011 An-nual
Phonathon.
Volunteers will be making calls from their homes,
as well as from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and
Indianapolis from Feb. 20-March 6.
Remember, the phonathon is conducted with
volunteers — not paid callers — so your gift goes
directly to support the life and ministries of the
Sisters of Providence. Volunteers include sisters,
Providence Associates and Candidate-Associates,
alumnae, staff and friends, many of whom will be
calling from their homes. So don’t be too hasty to
ignore that unfamiliar number on your caller ID.
Thank you in advance for answering the phone
when our volunteer calls!
You can volunteer as a caller, too, by contacting
Ruth Hallam at (812) 535-2806 or by e-mail at
rhallam@spsmw.org.
We are not-for-profit
In 2010, news reports indicated that many
non-profits would lose their non-profit status
in 2011 for failure to submit proper required
documentation. We want to assure our read-ers
that this does not affect the Sisters of
Providence. We are in good standing with all
federal, state and local regulations regarding
our not-for-profit status. Gifts made to the
Sisters of Providence are tax deductible.
12 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Her-story
A grand
STRUCTURE
rovidence Hall, like the phoenix rising from the ashes, rose from the ashes
of the convent built by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin after a horrific fire on
Feb. 7, 1889.
The annals of the Sisters of Providence describe the start of this inferno:
“The bell rings in its clear tones the hour of nine which notifies the sisters that it is the
time for the Reunion Prayer to which all respond. Ten minutes pass, the deep familiar
tones of the bell are again heard. What can mean this untimely peal? Every face wears an
anxious look and all hasten to ascertain the cause of this second call, when lo! From the
roof of the little infirmary are seen issuing forth little puffs of smoke which presently be-come
immense black volumes, succeeded by giant flames, which spread so rapidly that in
less time than it takes to tell the story the roof is all ablaze and the ceilings have fallen.”
Plans for replacing the ruined edifice immediately began under Mother Mary Euphrasie
Story and photos by Connie McCammon
Photo above: This
Archives photo
shows Providence
Hall in 1904.
Background
image: This is a
stone that was
saved from the
foundation of Saint
Mother Theodore’s
1853 convent.
P
See STRUCTURE on page 13
www.SistersofProvidence.org 13
Hinkle (1883-1889). The cornerstone was laid July
26, 1889. The beautiful brick three-story structure
with modern amenities was finished under the lead-ership
of Mother Mary Cleophas Foley (1890-1926).
Bohlen Architects of Indianapolis, a firm first used
by the Congregation in 1860, was
employed to oversee construction.
To link the new hall to the past,
a stone from Mother Theodore’s
convent built in 1853 was inserted
into the foundation outside the dining
room near the west wall. The stone is
still visible today because it is darker
than the other stones.
In the files of Archives, there are
several bid sheets and copies of
bills from many contractors. The
plumbing bid from W.R. Thompson
Plumber & Gas Fitter & Dealer in
Gas Fixtures in Chicago assured the
sisters theirs would be “a strictly first class job.”
Frederick Noelke of the Architectural Iron Works of
Indianapolis, Manufacturers of Jail and Court House
Work, submitted a bid of $4,684 for the first to third
floor rear and main slate stairs as well as the cellar
stairs underneath these staircases.
Providence Hall was blessed Sept. 8, 1890, by the
Most Rev. Francis Silas Chatard, bishop of the then-
Diocese of Vincennes. Following the day of blessing
was a great spectacle that attracted crowds of people
from surrounding communities. Illumination Day
was when all the electric lights in the building were
tested for the very first time. The “Souvenir of the
Golden Anniversary of St. Mary’s Academic Insti-tute,”
published in 1891, states, “The fine struc-ture,
rendered brilliant by six hundred lights, was
certainly a most imposing scene. …”
Throughout the 20th century, the Congregation
improved and renovated Providence Hall. But in the
21st century, the Congregation leadership realized
that a more extensive remodeling was needed, and a
capital campaign for the renovation of
Providence Hall was initiated. While
most of the interior of the building
has been gutted, Sister Rose Ann
Eaton, associate director of Facili-ties
Management, notes that much in
the stately old structure was saved,
starting with the bricks on the out-side
which were tuck-pointed where
needed.
On the first floor, baseboard, trim
and doors have been left unless some-thing
was damaged beyond repair.
The tile floors on First, Second and
Third South halls have been saved.
The slate stairs along with the banis-ters
have been kept, and the east wooden stairs are
also original. Even the statue of St. Joseph in the
courtyard is staying put (pictured this page).
Amazingly, the drainage for Providence Hall was
“green” long, long before being green was a
buzzword. In the courtyard is a large cistern where
some of the drains empty and then seep out from
drainage pipes to the sewage system. Of course
rainwater is also removed by downspouts.
Indeed, what a grand structure to save!
Structure
Continued from page 12
One way to live more sustainably is to buy locally. Local foods are those
grown as close to your home as possible. This is a good time of year to
search out options to buy food produced in your area this spring and
summer. It can be as close as your neighbor’s backyard, a Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, or a farmers’ market in your
community. Focusing on locally-grown vegetables is a good start. Seek-ing
out local meat and dairy could be a next step.
Enter your zip code at www.LocalHarvest.org to find farms in your area
and reserve your share in a CSA now.
H
14 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Partners in our mission
Music in her soul
Story and photo by Connie McCammon
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
This quote from the fifth chapter of Matthew is a favorite of Mary Ellen Fox, a Provi-dence
Associate from Tulsa, Okla., and a generous donor to the Congregation. Yes, Mary
Ellen’s exuberance for life definitely shines before others, but she also gives glory to God
through her voice.
“I was told I began singing when I was 14 months old,” shared Mary Ellen. “My mother
was a wonderful singer, and I swear she taught me before I was born.”
Mary Ellen grew up in Tulsa and attended Immaculate Conception Grade School. The Ur-sulines
administered this school until the Sisters of Providence assumed leadership in 1946
when Mary Ellen was in seventh grade. The late Sister Clare Therese Bullock, who was
Mary Ellen’s teacher, made a lasting impression on her.
“She represented to me all the wonderful things about religious life. I was teacher’s pet, too!”
said Mary Ellen, who received a few music lessons from Sister Marie Brendan Harvey.
Although she was taught by several religious congregations in her early life, it was the
Sisters of Providence who won her heart. In 1949, Mary Ellen left her parents’ home in
Photo above:
Sister Mary Mo-loney
checks out
the Providence
Associate pin of
Mary Ellen Fox
(left). Sister Mary
was Mary Ellen’s
companion. Continued on page 15
www.SistersofProvidence.org 15
Tulsa and entered the Juniorate, a secondary school
for girls at the Woods. At the end of her junior year
in 1951, Mary Ellen left the Woods and graduated
from Monte Cassino High School
in Tulsa. In January of 1952, she
entered the University of Tulsa
where she studied business and
discovered a new world in music.
“The chorus at [the University
of] Tulsa was considered at the
time the best one in the United
States,” said Mary Ellen, who is
very Irish, including her birthday
on St. Patrick’s Day.
The chorus in which Mary Ellen sang was directed
by Arthur Hestwood. A mezzo-soprano, Mary Ellen
was a member of the Arthur Hestwood Radio Choir
(later Chorus). “We broadcast every week on the
university’s radio station,” said Mary Ellen, refer-ring
to FM station KWGS.
For several summers, Mary Ellen was soloist with
the Starlight Concert Band that presented free con-certs
in the university’s stadium. The concerts were
all Broadway shows such as “South Pacific,” “Briga-doon”
and “Oklahoma.” She had all nine solos
when “The Sound of Music” was presented in 1960.
“Oh, that was a thrill to sing before 6,000 people,”
said Mary Ellen, who has a recording of “A Memo-ry
Away” available on iTunes.
In 1955, Mary Ellen took a job in district sales with
U.S. Steel. She worked there the next 29 years. In
the 1980s and ’90s, to supplement her pension, she
worked as a travel agent. However, Mary Ellen con-tinued
to pursue her first passion — music.
In the 1950s, she was a member of the highly
regarded Tulsa Opera. In the 1960s, she studied in
summer workshops with Russian-born conductor
and opera producer Boris Goldovsky. She was the
principal soloist for 28 years at a Protestant church
in Tulsa, and for 15 years, she was the cantor at the
Church of the Madalene, her parish church. In her
“spare time,” Mary Ellen taught voice lessons.
“I think I’ve earned a little bit of retirement,” said
Mary Ellen, referring to her singing in church.
However, she stays very active. She leads the Rosary
after Mass on Wednesday evenings at her church,
and each week she hosts a meal followed by a
religious-themed movie and discussion. Mary El-len
still loves to travel, having visited Ireland often
where she entertained at Ashford Castle, County
Mayo. She also visits family in
St. Louis and tries to visit the
Woods as often as possible.
The firm foundation in life that
Mary Ellen received from the
Sisters of Providence has in-spired
her to share financially
with the Congregation. “They
took care of me for two years
— educated me, clothed me, fed
me, housed me — and I think
it’s payback time,” said Mary Ellen, who has re-membered
the sisters in her will.
Indeed, Mary Ellen gives glory to God through
her voice and helps bring light to so many others
through her gifts to the Congregation.
For more information on planned giving, contact
Sister Joan Zlogar at jzlogar@spsmw.org or
812-535-2811.
www.smwc.edu
go to college ...
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1-800-499-0373
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introducing ...
Continued from page 14
I was told I began
singing when I was 14
months old. My mother
was a wonderful singer,
and I swear she taught
me before I was born.
“
”
H
16 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Alumnae news
Alums support Providence Hall renovation
Thank you to all our alums who have answered
the call to help support the Providence Hall reno-vation!
Several of the alumnae
associations have donated their
reunion raffle proceeds to the
renovation. Many others have con-tributed
individually to the capital
campaign. What a wonderful trib-ute
to our sisters and to each and
every one of our alumnae/i who
continue to help foster the min-istries
and life of our Providence
Family.
I am shining a spotlight on two
reunions of the many that took
place in these past months. The
Marywood Anaheim/Orange alum-nae
celebrated with a reunion
weekend at the Doubletree Suites
in Anaheim, Calif. We had a great
time preparing for the event and
all the planning paid off with 125
very happy women in attendance.
We began Friday night with a
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin presentation (aka
Sister Sue Paweski) followed by a social. Saturday’s
luncheon was filled with balloons,
raffles and smiling and teary faces.
Sister Carol Nolan and Martha
Langarcia shared the Providence in
the Desert story. Sunday was a day
to enjoy the sights. Plan for the
next all-school reunion in three
years!
The Providence High School
all-school reunion had more
alumnae than expected with 260
in attendance. A very special guest
alumna was Sister Edwardine
McNulty, class of 1936. Sister
Edwardine accepted the gift of
$50,000 from the alumnae as-sociation
toward Providence Hall
renovation. She explained how
she and the other sisters at the
Woods have benefitted from the
generosity of our alumnae/i. Sister
Edwardine’s energy is contagious!
The donations and prayerful support of our
alumnae/i from St. John Academy, Indianapolis;
Marywood, Evanston, Ill.; St. Columbkille, Chicago;
Immaculata, Washington, D.C. (IPS, IJC, Dunblane);
St. Rose, Vincennes, Ind.; St. Rose, Chelsea, Mass.;
and St. Agnes, Indianapolis, are gratefully ac-cepted.
Several other alumnae associations are
planning reunions. Contact me at 773-463-2478 or
spaweski@spsmw.org for more information. Don’t
forget to mark your calendars for the Heart-to-
Heart fund raiser on Feb. 13, 2011!
Sister Sue Paweski
Top photo: Sister Edwardine McNulty (front, right)
accepts a check for the renovation of Providence Hall.
Also pictured with her are (front, left): Sister Marie
Brendan Harvey and (back, left to right): Therese
Donatello and Sister Sue Paweski.
Bottom photo: Posing for a photo from the Marywood,
Orange, Calif., reunion are (left to right): Moira
Niehaus Fisher (’79), Terry McDonell Winkler (’79),
Helen Mae Almas (faculty) and Mary Waters Nicoll
(’79). (Submitted photos)
www.SistersofProvidence.org 17
2011 golf scramble date set: Sept. 16 at Hulman Links
Thirty-six teams participated in the 2010
Hole-y-One Golf Scramble tournament
held Sept. 17 at Hulman Links Golf
Course in Terre Haute, Ind. This was
a record number for this event. There
were two flights and participants enjoyed
a beautiful, sunny day. Three divi-sions
(women’s, men’s and mixed) were
awarded prizes. A tasty lunch and great
camaraderie rounded out the day for par-ticipants,
with proceeds going to support
many Wabash Valley ministries sponsored
by the Sisters of Providence. Save the
date — next year’s event will be Sept.
16, 2011, at Hulman Links Golf Course.
For information, visit www.spsmw.org or
contact Diane Weidenbenner at 812-535-
2802 or dweidenb@spsmw.org. Right,
the afternoon flight of golfers get ready
to tee off. (Photo by Christina Blust)
18 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Newsnotes
Champion trees adorn Woods
Thousands of trees adorn the landscape on and
around the motherhouse grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-
Woods, but one tree stands alone as a cham-pion.
A tamarack tree near Corbe House recently
was named as a Big Tree State Champion, the first
tree at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to be selected for
that honor.
The tamarack (larix laricina) stands at a height of
78 feet with a circumference of 102.50 inches and a
crown spread of 12.62 feet
In April 1999, an Eastern Hemlock (tsuga canaden-sis)
was named a Vigo County Big Tree Champion
with measurements of 50.60 feet in height, 82.00
inches in circumference and 19.35 in crown spread.
A tamarack tree also was selected as Vigo County
Big Tree Champion in 1999 with a height of 46.50
feet, circumference of 97.50 inches and a crown
spread of 26.50 feet.
One year later, another tree was named Vigo
County Big Tree Champion. A Kentucky coffee
tree (gymnocladus dioicus) was measured at 83.40
feet tall, 135.00 inches in circumference and crown
spread of 18.90 feet.
About 70 different species of trees can be found at
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, many of which are na-tive
to the region. The Indiana Big Tree program
is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources Division of Forestry. Trees Inc. of Terre
Haute presented the award.
Saint Mother Theodore honored
Another honor was bestowed recently on Saint
Mother Theodore Guerin, adding to the long list
of accolades that call attention to her contributions
to society and her devotion to God.
The Society of Indiana Pioneers recently designated
her as a Pioneer Founder of Indiana. One person
from each Indiana county will receive that distinc-tion
during the next five years as Indiana prepares
for its Bicentennial in 2016.
Her contributions were recognized at the 95th annual
meeting of the Society of Indiana Pioneers on Nov.
6. The organization identified her advancement
of education by establishing a number of schools
throughout the state and in other states. Honor also
was given to her canonization in 2006.
In 2007 the organization honored her as a Hoosier
Pioneer. The Society of Indiana Pioneers was
established in 1916 in conjunction with the state’s
centennial celebration with the intention to honor
the memory and work of the early settlers who
opened the state to exploration and continued its
development.
From left, Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior,
Sister Ann Casper, executive director of the Office of
Congregational Advancement (OCA), and Ruth Hallam,
associate director, lead the dedication ceremony for
the Providence Paver memorial brick program on Oct.
2. The bricks at the fountain at the end of The Avenue
were blessed with an Evergreen bough dipped in holy
water prior to a Eucharistic Liturgy held in the Church
of the Immaculate Conception. Providence Pavers may
still be purchased and engraved to memorialize or
honor a loved one. For more information, contact Ruth
at rhallam@spsmw.org or 812-535-2806. (Photo by
Diane Weidenbenner)
Pavers dedicated
www.SistersofProvidence.org 19
SP social media recognized
The Sisters of Providence were recognized for a
“best practice” for social media marketing by the
National Communicators Network for Women
Religious (NCNWR) at their annual conference
Sept. 22-24 in Denver.
The best practices portion of the conference was
designed to showcase the best work among
NCNWR members during the last year. A presenta-tion
about the Sisters of Providence social media
work was given by Rosie Blankenship, website
manager, and Christina Blust, graphic designer/pho-tography
coordinator.
The Sisters of Providence use various forms of
social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr,
YouTube and more, to help share the mission and
ministry of the Congregation.
In the last year, the Sisters of Providence have seen
a growth in interest in vocations, as well as other
activities, which is believed to be directly related to
social media and website work.
Congregation hosts convention
NASPA (National Association of Shrines and Pil-grimage
Apostolate) held its 2010 Convention Nov.
8-11 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. NASPA chose
the Woods as its convention site since the national
Shrine of Saint Mother
Theodore Guerin is located
here.
Sister Barbara Doherty,
a NASPA member, helped
to host the group’s visit to
west-central Indiana. Sister
Barbara serves as coordina-tor
of Saint Mother Theo-dore’s
Shrine located in the
Church of the Immaculate
Conception.
Convention highlights
included a tour of the
motherhouse grounds led
by Sister Nancy Nolan, a
former general superior of
the Congregation, and a talk
by Sister Denise Wilkinson,
general superior, who shared her thoughts about
Saint Mother Theodore.
The NASPA group attended Eucharistic Liturgy
in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in
addition to Mass in St. Joseph University Parish in
Terre Haute and Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis
Xavier during a visit to Vincennes, Ind.
To read more about the NASPA Convention, please
visit www.SistersofProvidence.org and look for
the “As seen in HOPE” link.
It’s all about alpacas!
White Violet Farm Alpacas at Saint Mary-of-the-
Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence,
participated in National Farm Alpaca Days in
September with an open house where interested
persons could meet the alpacas up close and talk
with those who care for them.
Since the herd is raised for sales, breeding services
and fiber production it was the perfect opportunity
for those who were interested in starting an alpaca
farm to visit and ask questions about everything
from daily care to what is done with their fiber.
Learn more about the Sisters of Providence alpacas
at www.WhiteViolet.org.
(Photo by Cheryl Casselman)
Obituaries
20 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Sister Jean Patrice Keenon April 2, 1920-Aug. 6, 2010
“Sister Jean Patrice was effective as a teacher because of her infinite patience.”
Entering the Congregation Feb. 2, 1939, Sister Jean Patrice ministered in education in
Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina. She also served as activity director at Providence
Retirement Home, New Albany, Ind.
Sister Ann Miriam Zell Dec. 4, 1913-Aug. 11, 2010
“Sister Ann Miriam prayed a lot. And if you asked her to pray for something, she did.”
Sister Ann Miriam entered the Congregation on Aug. 20, 1932. For nearly five decades
she ministered as an educator in schools in Illinois and California. She returned to the
Woods in 2000.
Sister Marie Eleanor Shaw Feb. 27, 1916-Aug. 27, 2010
“Sister Marie Eleanor was an excellent primary teacher and a fine principal.”
Sister Marie Eleanor Shaw entered the Congregation Aug. 22, 1933, and spent more than
five decades in education. She ministered in Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, California
and Illinois. She returned to the Woods in 1993.
Sister Grace Stewart Feb. 20, 1914-Sept. 1, 2010
“At the age of 90, Sister Grace learned to use the computer and the Internet to expand her
knowledge and to keep in touch with the times.”
Entering the Congregation Aug. 20, 1929, Sister Grace ministered in education more than
three decades. Her pedagogical missions were located in Illinois, Indiana, New Hampshire
and Washington, D.C. For several years, she served as a nurses’ aide in health care at the
Woods. She returned to the Woods in 1994.
Sister Margaret Ann McNamara (formerly Sister Marie Nicholas) Aug. 5, 1935-Sept. 1, 2010
“A genuine spirit of joy and laughter were signatures of Sister Margaret Ann’s interaction
with others.”
Sister Margaret Ann entered the Congregation July 22, 1955. She ministered in educa-tion
in Indiana and Illinois. She served many years at the American Society of Clinical
In memory
“I sleep, but my heart watches … ” — Song of Songs
Continued on page 21
www.SistersofProvidence.org 21
Pathologists, Chicago. She also ministered at Wheaton Franciscan Services as well as the
Archdiocese of Chicago in the Permanent Deacon Program. Sister Margaret Ann served on
the Congregation’s General Council from 1996 to 2001.
Sister Ann Renee Maxwell June 8, 1929-Sept. 6, 2010
“Sister Ann Renee’s kindness, compassion and concern for her patients were well known
and appreciated.”
Sister Ann Renee entered the Congregation July 22, 1948. For more than two decades she
ministered in education in Illinois, Maryland, Indiana and Missouri. After earning her
LPN, Sister Ann Renee ministered in health-care facilities at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and
Chicago. She returned to the Woods in 2000.
Sister Gertrude Eileen Getrey Sept. 7, 1908-Oct. 2, 2010
“Sister Gertrude Eileen had qualities of total understanding and compassion in her teaching.”
At her death at the age of 102, Sister Gertrude Eileen lived through 10 popes, from Pope
Leo XIII to Pope Benedict XVI, and 11 general superiors of the Sisters of Providence,
from Mother Mary Cleophas Foley to Sister Denise Wilkinson. She entered the Congrega-tion
June 5, 1925. For more than five decades, Sister Gertrude Eileen taught elementary
school in Indiana, Illinois and Massachusetts. Sisters and nurses who cared for Sister Ger-trude
Eileen remembered her as clear, right up to the end, and as concerned about others.
Sister Thomasine Griffin Aug. 30, 1925-Oct. 23, 2010
“Sister Thomasine was a great teacher because, like Saint Mother Theodore, she loved her
students first and then taught them.”
Sister Thomasine entered the Congregation July 20, 1942. She spent more than four de-cades
as either a teacher or principal in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Texas and Massachu-setts.
Sister Thomasine also spent several years in provincial leadership for the Congrega-tion.
Sister Thomasine returned to the Woods in 2000.
Sister Marianne McGriffin (formerly Sister Trinita Marie) May 5, 1926-Oct. 24, 2010
“As strong as her beloved icons and as malleable as her first love, clay, Sister Marianne
revealed God and reveled in God’s creation in ways large and small.”
Entering the Congregation on Feb. 2, 1944, Sister Marianne ministered in education in
Illinois, Indiana and Maryland for more than 20 years. She spent another two decades in
religious education in Indiana and Kentucky. For many years she operated Open SPaces,
a center where body, mind and spirit could come together in creativity, reflection, prayer
and praise. Upon returning to the Woods in 2006 until her death, she was an iconographer.
To read the entire obituary for a sister, visit www.SistersofProvidence.org and look for the
“As seen in HOPE” link.
Providence Associate Diane Stephens, Midlothian, Ill., died Nov. 24, 2010.
Continued from page 20
22 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Upcoming events
Calendar
See “Upcoming events” at www.SistersofProvidence.org for more information.
February
12 Fun with Brioche Cooking Class at Clabber Girl kitchen, Terre Haute, Ind., 10 a.m.-
noon (EST). Learn a few basic recipes with instructor Candace Minster of White Violet
Center for Eco-Justice. Cost is $20. Contact Clabber Girl’s April Osburn at 812-478-7113
or aosburn@clabbergirl.com.
18-19 Nun Run, Indianapolis. Visit various religious congregations over the two days.
Contact Sister Jenny Howard at 1-800-860-1840, ext. 2897, or jhoward@spsmw.org.
19 Felted Slippers at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. Turn alpaca fleece into warm
slippers with instructor Sister Maureen Freeman, CSJ. Cost is $50. Registration deadline:
Feb. 16. Contact Robyn Morton at 812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
20-March 6 2011 Annual Phonathon
26 Come and See Day, Boston, for women ages 18-42 who may be considering religious
life, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST), St. John the Evangelist Parish, Winthrop, Mass. Contact
Sister Jenny Howard at 1-800-860-1840, ext. 2897, or jhoward@spsmw.org.
26 Alpaca 102 at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST). This is a
hands-on approach to learning about skirting, carding, washing and felting alpaca fiber.
Cost is $35 (includes lunch). Registration deadline is Feb. 26. Contact Robyn Morton at
812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
March
12 Alpaca 101 at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EST). One-day
workshop on the fundamentals of raising alpacas. Cost is $50 per person or $75 for two
from the same family or farm (includes lunch). Registration deadline: March 4. Contact
Robyn Morton at 812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
17-20 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Anaheim, Calif. Visit us at our booth.
18-19 Beginning Spinning at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. Class is designed for
beginners. Cost is $50. Begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, 9 a.m. on Saturday. Registration
deadline is March 11. Contact Robyn Morton at 812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
Did you know that a majority of adult Americans do not have wills? Are you one of them?
Making out a will could be the most important document you will prepare in your lifetime
If you die suddenly, and have no will, the state in which you live will appoint a guard-ian
for any minor children involved and an executor to manage how your assets will be
distributed.
For a complimentary copy of our booklet, Planning Your Will: Charitable Insights and
Options, contact Sister Joan Zlogar, planned giving manager, at jzlogar@spsmw.org or
812-535-2811. Visit www.SistersofProvidence.org for more information about wills.
One of the most important documents? A will
www.SistersofProvidence.org 23
Construction progress
SSnnaappsshhoottss ooff PPrroovviiddeennccee Haallll rreennoovvaattiioonn
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Indianapolis
Indiana
Permit No. 593
Office of Congregational Advancement
1 Sisters of Providence
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876
FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
Prroviidence Hallll:: ssttiillll goiing ssttrrong

Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

2 HOPE // WINTER 2011
The Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
For information about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, contact Sister Barbara
Doherty, coordinator of the Office of the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore
Guerin, Providence Hall, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
47876-1007 or 812-535-2925 or bdoherty@spsmw.org.
More than a job
Mark Ross (left) and Carl Dougherty are just two of the many construction workers who have helped to renovate
Providence Hall. Both men indicated that all the workers felt that this renovation was so much more than a job. Read
more about their experience on page 6. Mark is the Garmong Construction job site supervisor, and Carl is the
Sycamore Engineering mechanical general foreman. (Photo by Cheryl Casselman)
www.SistersofProvidence.org 3
HOwithinPE
Features
Cover story 4
Our home
Construction 6
Workers proud of their labor
Thank you 7
In their own words
Chapel and spirituality
A place for prayer
Construction progress 23
Snapshots of the renovation
Departments
Her-story 12
Sustainable living 13
Partners in our mission 14
Alumnae/i news 16
Newsnotes 18
Obituaries 20
Upcoming events 22
Mission Statement:
The purpose of HOPE is to extend the energy and power
of Providence to our friends by sharing information about
the mission, spirituality and ministries of the Sisters of
Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Volume 6 • No. 2
winter 2011
Executive Editor:
Sister Rosemary Schmalz
Editors:
Sister Ann Casper and
Diane Weidenbenner
Copy Editor:
Sister Cordelia Moran
Publication
Manager/Designer:
Connie McCammon
Cover Photos:
Archives, Connie McCammon
Cover Designer:
Pam Lynch
Editorial Board:
Rosie Blankenship, Christina Blust,
Cheryl Casselman, Dave Cox,
Sue Heck, Becky Igo,
Sister Jeanne Knoerle,
Sister Bernice Kuper,
Sandy Scroggins, Sister Joan Zlogar
Contact Information:
Office of Congregational
Advancement,
1 Sisters of Providence,
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876
For change of address:
cdavis@spsmw.org or 812-535-2804
Website:
www.SistersofProvidence.org
Children’s website:
www.WoodsUp.com
Printed on recycled paper
See us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube!
Follow our blogs!
Page 14
Page 7
Page 18
On the cover:
The cornerstone of Providence Hall
was laid July 26, 1889, during the
administration of Mother Mary
Euphrasie Hinkle. The stone with
the word “home” on it came from
the foundation of the convent Saint
Mother Theodore Guerin built in 1853.
10
4 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Cover story
Our home
uick! What image comes to mind when you hear the word “home?”
Ask a Sister of Providence and she will most likely reply “Saint Mary-of-
the-Woods.” Since 1851, when Saint Mother Theodore Guerin wrote
to her sisters, “Once more I have the pleasure of calling you home for our
retreat,” we have called these hallowed grounds home.
In addition to the Woods itself, however, Sisters of Providence living today have home-like
roots in a building that has stood at the heart of our motherhouse since 1890 — Providence
Hall. Its imposing three-story brick structure with its interior of wrought iron balustrades,
Q
Story by Sister Ann Casper, graphics by Pam Lynch
Continued on page 5
www.SistersofProvidence.org 5
H original tile floors, etched windows and massive,
built-in wooden cupboards almost belies the usual
image of home.
What a challenge, then, when it became obvious to
the General Council that this
huge home needed to be totally
renovated to accommodate the
needs of sisters who are now re-tired,
many with limited mobil-ity,
but still wanting to be active
and independent. After Congre-gation
members fully endorsed
the project, a capital campaign
effort — Providence Hall:
Preserving Life and Mission —
began in May of 2009. To date,
$5,206,047.52 has been raised
toward meeting the $6,000,000
capital campaign goal.
The capital campaign is more
than raising money to renovate
brick and mortar. It’s about making an investment
for our sisters who are retired and directing resources
to make their lives a bit easier and their surround-ings
more home-like. Providing a safe, secure and
comfortable home seems a worthy enterprise, given
each sister’s 50 and 60 years or more of ministry
and service.
Consider what you enjoy and do in your own home
— these are the same hopes we have in renovating
our Providence Hall home.
Cooking. Although all the sisters’ meals are served
in a common dining room, the renovation plans
include two kitchenettes on each floor. Oh, and
how these spacious kitchenettes will be buzzing
when sister-bakers and jelly-makers prepare their
home-cooked specialties for our annual bake sale in
November and for Earth Day in April, or when they
concoct birthday or holiday treats during the year.
Sleeping and personal care. Ask the sisters who
await moving back to Providence Hall and they’ll
probably tell you that the thing they are most
excited about is the reconfigured bedroom space
that now includes a private bathroom. Gone will
be the nights when an elder sister has to traverse
long corridors aided by a walker or a cane or has to
“fire up” her motorized scooter, hoping the battery
doesn’t die on the way.
Relaxing and enjoying leisure. In your home, you
may do this in a family or living room. We sisters
refer to the places we are most likely to gather as
community rooms. The plans
include one large one on the main
floor of Providence Hall and a
few smaller ones on the resident
floors. These community rooms
are places where some sisters will
gather to watch TV, while oth-ers
will play cards or engage in a
highly-contested game of Scrab-ble
®, put together one of those
1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles or just
sit and chat.
Praying. One room that most
people do not have in their own
homes, but that you will find in
the renovated Providence Hall
home, is a chapel. When the
sisters were consulted about their needs they made
it very clear that they wanted the chapel to remain.
And remain it will — enhanced with stronger light-ing,
new carpet and a fresh coat of paint. When the
sisters return to their home, I suspect they will first
want to visit the chapel and, as Saint Mother Theo-dore
Guerin did when she arrived at the Woods in
1840, “pray and thank God for past favors and for
all our benefactors” who will make the renovation
possible.
Continued from page 4
How you can help
Please use the envelope provided if you would
like to assist the Sisters of Providence in provid-ing
this home for our sisters who are retired.
Keep updated
For more about the renovation of Providence
Hall and to keep up to date on progress
with the capital campaign, subscribe to our
e-newsletter Providence Partners on our web-site.
Visit SistersofProvidence.org and look for
the e-newsletter signup box on the right side
of the page.
6 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Construction
Workers proud of their labor
Not just another project …
Story and photos by Cheryl Casselman
“It’s a neat old building,” Mark Ross said about
Providence Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. “The
customer just makes it a little more special.”
The customer is the Sisters of
Providence and Mark is the
Garmong Construction job
site supervisor overseeing the
renovation of this historic build-ing
and home for many retired
Sisters of Providence.
“What’s been surprising is how
much they’ve been involved.”
Mark said. “It’s not like a
customer you never see or speak
to. That’s been a pleasant sur-prise.”
Mark, of Terre Haute, said
there have been about 40 con-struction
workers involved in the
project that began in November
2009.
“I think when you tell them how
old the building is, who owns
the building and who it’s for,
surely that has a tendency to
take on a little more meaning
than just another building we’re
remodeling,” he said.
Carl Dougherty, of Terre Haute,
is the project’s mechanical
general foreman with Sycamore
Engineering.
“Knowing who is going to live there and the envi-ronment
it’s in makes you a little more conscious
of the job you’re doing,” he said.
Carl’s wife, Mary Beth, attends St. Joseph Catho-lic
Church in Terre Haute and occasionally attends
Liturgy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She went to
St. Margaret Mary Grade School and Shulte High
School in Terre Haute.
“We come out here with our dog [Hoosier] and walk
around to see the alpacas and stuff,” Carl said. “She
asks how the nuns are doing and
we talk about this place all the
time. She wants to see the build-ing;
so I’ll bring her out here to
see it when it’s done.”
Mark’s wife, Marsha, joined him
for Garmong Construction’s vol-unteer
day in August. Employees
and their families planted flowers
and plants in the Providence Hall
courtyard.
“We’ll have to bring the grand-daughter
out and let her see the
alpacas,” Mark added.
Carl said it’s been a nice place to
work.
“I think all the contractors got
along really well. If we have a
problem we put our heads togeth-er
to figure out where everybody
needs to be and what needs to be
done. I think that’s gone well. I
think profanity was way down for
a construction site,” Carl joked.
Mark said he’s more than pleased
with this project.
“I have a list of the jobs that I’m
most proud of in my career and this one took over
the number one spot,” Mark said.
Top photo: Mark Ross is the Garmong Construction job
site supervisor. Bottom photo: Carl Dougherty is the
Sycamore Engineering mechanical general foreman.
H
www.SistersofProvidence.org 7
In their own words
Thank you
Interviews by Rosie Blankenship
Note: Sisters Ruth Johnson, Anita Bechert, Richard
Bussing and Louise Schroeder were recently inter-viewed
about their memories of Providence Hall.
All four expressed gratitude to the many donors who
are making their “new” home a reality.
Sister Ruth Johnson
Sister Ruth Johnson has been a Sister of Providence
for 61 years. She has lived in Providence Hall since
the 1990s.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“When we left our own homes and came to Indiana
— to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods — Providence Hall
became our community home. We were connected
to it with that kind of
a spirit of: this is the
place where I stay,
where I learn and
where I become ac-quainted
with what my
Congregation is going
to tell me about itself.
It was very special. I
can say that my expe-rience
with Providence
was a changing one. It
was always different.
It provided different
kinds of experiences, each with its own memory,”
she said.
“You connect in a special way to the people, learn
different personalities. You come up against so
many different people than you would have in your
daily life at home. There are just a lot of things to
encounter.”
What are you excited about in your new home?
“I’m excited because the very thought of people
that have become our friends and were our friends to
begin with have come to support us and to provide
not only better circumstances for us, but also good
living arrangements for people who will come after
us, so that it will be a lasting place to stay. From
time to time, these buildings do have to be renovated
and made secure and safe. Our friends are doing
that for us. There is a lot of energy put into Provi-dence,
I believe, from the builders to the contribu-tors.
That energy is not going to go away. It is going
to stay. We are going to be part of that. In turn, we
are going to be able to reach out spirit-wise to those
people who have helped us, and hopefully make their
lives a little better and closer to us through our con-tact
and our care for them. Our prayers always will
go with those people who have touched our lives in
a special way. I am excited about that.”
What does the renovation of Providence Hall
mean to you?
“It means that we are not coming to a standstill.
The building that has been so historic for us and
so memorable is not going to be left to waste away
on its own, but that other people have a say in this.
They really do want to see it be a lasting thing, not
only for our community, but for the world commu-nity
as a whole. As any historic building, they are
going to restore it and keep it because of all of the
energy that has been put into it from Mother Theo-dore’s
time up to this time.”
What would you like to say to the donors and
people who have supported in other ways the
renovation of Providence Hall?
“Not only is this our home, but it belongs to people,
too. It belongs to them in the way that they always
have a place to come, to meet us, to perhaps have a
meal with us, to come and share the grounds with
us, to be reflective in their own lives, to have a place
of solace — whatever they need at that time. We are
here for them and we offer our hospitality and our
grounds and personal attention.”
Continued on page 8
8 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Continued from page 7
Sister Anita Bechert
Sister Anita has been a Sister of Providence for 64
years. She has been a resident of Providence Hall
for the last 18 years and for 25 years total in her
life.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“I think really my best one is that the Blessed Sacra-ment
Chapel is closer there [than from my room in
Owens Hall]. That is
my favorite place to
go because I feel these
years are my years of
life with God.”
During a retreat several
years ago, Sister Anita
made a promise to God
that she would keep
daily prayer to him.
“Towards the end of
my retreat, I was sitting
upstairs in the Blessed
Sacrament Chapel. All of a sudden, coming across
my little head was, ‘and what have you done since
you have been home?’ The next day, I got the same
message. The next day, I got the third message.
When the third message comes, you decipher it! I
said, ‘OK, I will be here every day for 15 minutes,
if not more. I don’t know when or how, but I will
get here.’ I have been able to do that, even when I
went to California to visit my sister.”
What are you excited about in your new home?
“I am excited about a new and larger bedroom and
a full bath!”
What does the renovation of Providence Hall
mean to you?
“It means I will have more space, even to sit and
pray. … My room there was small. My room here
[in Owens Hall] is even smaller! … This room, I
guess you could say, should bring peace.”
What would you like to say to the donors and
people who have supported in other ways the
renovation of Providence Hall?
“I would like to thank them for their generosity —
their great generosity — and they will continually
be in my prayers at Mass, the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel and Mother Theodore’s Shrine.”
Sister Richard Bussing
Sister Richard has been a Sister of Providence for
70 years. She has most recently lived in Providence
Hall since 2004, but also lived there during the late
1970s and early ’80s when she worked as a nurse’s
aide.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“I love the dining room because it was like a gather-ing
place for the people from the Infirmary and
even north, south, east and west. We always met
there and told stories. I miss that here [in Owens
Hall].
“It was always close to everything. If you wanted
to be near someone, you could go downstairs to the
first floor. And the
chapel. It was always
accessible to the out-side,
the nurses if you
needed help, and the
people in the Infir-mary.”
What are you excited
about in your new
home?
“It will just be won-derful
to get back and
to live there. … I didn’t want it at first — to move
out for construction — but now you see how it is
done — nice and quiet and fast. … I think this is the
neatest and quietest job I’ve ever seen,” she said.
“It will be nice to have bathrooms and phone lines!”
What would you like to say to the donors and
people who have supported in other ways the
renovation of Providence Hall?
“We are all so grateful for what they have done and
the sacrifices they have made to give it to us. We
appreciate everything that is being done and we will
pray constantly, I’m sure, for their welfare and their
health.”
See OWN WORDS on page 9
www.SistersofProvidence.org 9
Sister Louise Schroeder
Sister Louise has been a Sister of Providence for 67
years. She has lived in Providence Hall since 1991.
What is your favorite memory of living in Provi-dence
Hall?
“The beautiful scenery we could get, no matter
which way we looked outdoors. Also, the unique
architecture of the
building, which they
really have preserved.
At the time when they
built the building, they
did not have machin-ery
and lifts and you
wonder how they
ever made those thick
walls — and three or
four stories of them!
I am very happy as
this renovation goes
on, they are going to
preserve some of the unique things. For instance,
the Tile Hall was always Tile Hall on all three
floors. Then we had the unique woodworking, not
just around the windows and the doors, but even on
the stairways, the little railings, very delicate, very
artistic. They are going to preserve them, and we
are very happy about that. It will keep the name of
Providence Hall as it was. A lot of the atmosphere,
the peaceful atmosphere and the “home sweet
home” atmosphere, included the older sisters, the
sisters that were there before we were. You just felt
welcome there and it was home.”
What you are excited about in your new home?
“I’m anxious to see the changes and what they
kept. They have told us about it, but it is different
when you see it. I am sure the changes that they
made were for our good — more space and more
modern things that we are used to, which they
didn’t have in the olden days.”
What would you say to the supporters who are
helping to make this renovation possible?
“I would say a great big THANK YOU in capital
letters. Tell them to come and see, so we can give
them a grand tour!”
Own words
Continued from page 8
H
Providence Associates make commitments
Providence Associate Jennifer Drake (right)
of Hamilton, Ohio, and her companion,
Sister Mary Morley of Cincinnati, pres-ent
the gifts during the Eucharistic Liturgy
at the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on
Nov. 13 in the Church of the Immaculate
Conception. On this day of celebration, 20
Providence Candidate-Associates made their
first commitments while 60 Providence As-sociates
renewed their commitments. During
the fall, there were also renewal ceremonies
in California, Kentucky, Minnesota, New
Mexico, Oregon, Chicago, Indianapolis and
Fort Wayne, Ind. In October, Lilia Samson
Huang became the third Providence Associate
in Taiwan. (Photo by Connie McCammon)
Chapel and spirituality
A place for prayer
10 HOPE // WINTER 2011
By Becky Igo
The sisters who will be returning “home” to Provi-dence
Hall once the renovation is complete will also
return home to a small, renovated chapel located on
the second floor.
Although months of effort to rethink, rewire and re-habilitate
Providence Hall will one day come to an
end, the sisters know well what occurs within the
Providence Hall chapel is never-ending. Just like
faith and hope and love.
The Providence Hall chapel serves as a place that
brings the sisters — individually and in groups —
together for special devotions, prayer or meditation.
“The chapel was set up when access to the Church
of the Immaculate Conception was restricted,” said
Sister Ann Stephen Stouffer, director of Residential
Life and administrator of Providence Hall at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods.
In 1986, the Church of the Immaculate Conception
underwent restoration not only to conform with the
liturgical norms of the Second Vatican Council, but
also to strengthen the floor joists.
Research by Sister Marie Esther Sivertsen, an
Archives assistant, reveals records noting “a chapel
was set up in Room 223 [of Providence Hall]” dur-ing
the time of the church’s renovation. The original
purpose of the chapel was to “replace (temporarily)
the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, presumably because
the hallway was filled with pews from the church.”
The Providence Hall chapel, according to Sister
Marie Esther’s research, “opened” July 7, 1986.
The sisters loved the little chapel and its location
made it convenient for frequent visits. When the
church and the original Blessed Sacrament Chapel
were reopened, it was decided to retain the small
chapel on Providence Hall’s second floor. “They
[the sisters] had to petition to keep the chapel
there,” Sister Ann Stephen said.
Prior to the current Providence Hall renovation,
Sister Ann Stephen said she would see sisters at the
chapel. “I would see sisters there or together as a
group for morning and evening prayers,” she said.
“One group met here and another would meet on
the sun porches [of Providence Hall]. [The chapel]
was used on a daily basis,” Sister Ann Stephen said.
“It was used for small, personal reflections or shar-ing
or gathering together to pray the Rosary. It made
it inviting because everyone could take part.”
Dimensions of the chapel will remain the same after
This Archives photo shows sisters in prayer in the chapel
in Providence Hall.
See PRAYER on page 11
www.SistersofProvidence.org 11
renovation, although it will be “a little bit wider,”
Sister Ann Stephen said, looking over copies of
blueprints. The chapel’s room size makes it “more
intimate,” she explained.
There will also be lighter,
brighter renovated Providence
Hall sun porches — one above
the east door on the third floor
and another above the east door
on the second floor.
“There will also be a gathering
place on the second floor in a
corner section of the building,
and updated kitchenettes, where
sisters can ‘share time,’” according to Sister Ann
Stephen. There will also be a first floor conference
room and an activities room, the latter designated
as space where sisters can do arts and crafts, among
other things.
Although there will be new paint, along with new
pieces of furniture and fixtures, the renovated
Providence Hall will have many pieces of the same
furnishings found at various locations on the moth-erhouse
grounds. Shannan Spence, an interior deco-rator,
worked with the sisters to ensure that, Sister
Ann Stephen said. A Providence
Associate, Camille Snyder, will
also help to reassemble the
rooms.
With the renovation, it was
important that Providence Hall,
including the chapel, retain a
connection as “home.”
“One of the things that we hear
from the sisters, who moved
from Providence Hall during the
renovation, is when they do move
back they want it to be like home,” Sister Ann
Stephen said. “I think they will be happy with what
it will look like. I feel like we did preserve the
atmosphere of home.”
The Providence Hall
chapel serves as a place
that brings the sisters
… together for special
devotions, prayer or
meditation.
“
”
Prayers
Continued from page 10
H
Phonathon just around the corner
Christmas is over; no more thinking about gifts!
But, wait, that is just what the Sisters of Provi-dence
want you to do — think about making a
gift to support our Annual Fund and saying yes to
the volunteer who calls you during our 2011 An-nual
Phonathon.
Volunteers will be making calls from their homes,
as well as from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and
Indianapolis from Feb. 20-March 6.
Remember, the phonathon is conducted with
volunteers — not paid callers — so your gift goes
directly to support the life and ministries of the
Sisters of Providence. Volunteers include sisters,
Providence Associates and Candidate-Associates,
alumnae, staff and friends, many of whom will be
calling from their homes. So don’t be too hasty to
ignore that unfamiliar number on your caller ID.
Thank you in advance for answering the phone
when our volunteer calls!
You can volunteer as a caller, too, by contacting
Ruth Hallam at (812) 535-2806 or by e-mail at
rhallam@spsmw.org.
We are not-for-profit
In 2010, news reports indicated that many
non-profits would lose their non-profit status
in 2011 for failure to submit proper required
documentation. We want to assure our read-ers
that this does not affect the Sisters of
Providence. We are in good standing with all
federal, state and local regulations regarding
our not-for-profit status. Gifts made to the
Sisters of Providence are tax deductible.
12 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Her-story
A grand
STRUCTURE
rovidence Hall, like the phoenix rising from the ashes, rose from the ashes
of the convent built by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin after a horrific fire on
Feb. 7, 1889.
The annals of the Sisters of Providence describe the start of this inferno:
“The bell rings in its clear tones the hour of nine which notifies the sisters that it is the
time for the Reunion Prayer to which all respond. Ten minutes pass, the deep familiar
tones of the bell are again heard. What can mean this untimely peal? Every face wears an
anxious look and all hasten to ascertain the cause of this second call, when lo! From the
roof of the little infirmary are seen issuing forth little puffs of smoke which presently be-come
immense black volumes, succeeded by giant flames, which spread so rapidly that in
less time than it takes to tell the story the roof is all ablaze and the ceilings have fallen.”
Plans for replacing the ruined edifice immediately began under Mother Mary Euphrasie
Story and photos by Connie McCammon
Photo above: This
Archives photo
shows Providence
Hall in 1904.
Background
image: This is a
stone that was
saved from the
foundation of Saint
Mother Theodore’s
1853 convent.
P
See STRUCTURE on page 13
www.SistersofProvidence.org 13
Hinkle (1883-1889). The cornerstone was laid July
26, 1889. The beautiful brick three-story structure
with modern amenities was finished under the lead-ership
of Mother Mary Cleophas Foley (1890-1926).
Bohlen Architects of Indianapolis, a firm first used
by the Congregation in 1860, was
employed to oversee construction.
To link the new hall to the past,
a stone from Mother Theodore’s
convent built in 1853 was inserted
into the foundation outside the dining
room near the west wall. The stone is
still visible today because it is darker
than the other stones.
In the files of Archives, there are
several bid sheets and copies of
bills from many contractors. The
plumbing bid from W.R. Thompson
Plumber & Gas Fitter & Dealer in
Gas Fixtures in Chicago assured the
sisters theirs would be “a strictly first class job.”
Frederick Noelke of the Architectural Iron Works of
Indianapolis, Manufacturers of Jail and Court House
Work, submitted a bid of $4,684 for the first to third
floor rear and main slate stairs as well as the cellar
stairs underneath these staircases.
Providence Hall was blessed Sept. 8, 1890, by the
Most Rev. Francis Silas Chatard, bishop of the then-
Diocese of Vincennes. Following the day of blessing
was a great spectacle that attracted crowds of people
from surrounding communities. Illumination Day
was when all the electric lights in the building were
tested for the very first time. The “Souvenir of the
Golden Anniversary of St. Mary’s Academic Insti-tute,”
published in 1891, states, “The fine struc-ture,
rendered brilliant by six hundred lights, was
certainly a most imposing scene. …”
Throughout the 20th century, the Congregation
improved and renovated Providence Hall. But in the
21st century, the Congregation leadership realized
that a more extensive remodeling was needed, and a
capital campaign for the renovation of
Providence Hall was initiated. While
most of the interior of the building
has been gutted, Sister Rose Ann
Eaton, associate director of Facili-ties
Management, notes that much in
the stately old structure was saved,
starting with the bricks on the out-side
which were tuck-pointed where
needed.
On the first floor, baseboard, trim
and doors have been left unless some-thing
was damaged beyond repair.
The tile floors on First, Second and
Third South halls have been saved.
The slate stairs along with the banis-ters
have been kept, and the east wooden stairs are
also original. Even the statue of St. Joseph in the
courtyard is staying put (pictured this page).
Amazingly, the drainage for Providence Hall was
“green” long, long before being green was a
buzzword. In the courtyard is a large cistern where
some of the drains empty and then seep out from
drainage pipes to the sewage system. Of course
rainwater is also removed by downspouts.
Indeed, what a grand structure to save!
Structure
Continued from page 12
One way to live more sustainably is to buy locally. Local foods are those
grown as close to your home as possible. This is a good time of year to
search out options to buy food produced in your area this spring and
summer. It can be as close as your neighbor’s backyard, a Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, or a farmers’ market in your
community. Focusing on locally-grown vegetables is a good start. Seek-ing
out local meat and dairy could be a next step.
Enter your zip code at www.LocalHarvest.org to find farms in your area
and reserve your share in a CSA now.
H
14 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Partners in our mission
Music in her soul
Story and photo by Connie McCammon
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
This quote from the fifth chapter of Matthew is a favorite of Mary Ellen Fox, a Provi-dence
Associate from Tulsa, Okla., and a generous donor to the Congregation. Yes, Mary
Ellen’s exuberance for life definitely shines before others, but she also gives glory to God
through her voice.
“I was told I began singing when I was 14 months old,” shared Mary Ellen. “My mother
was a wonderful singer, and I swear she taught me before I was born.”
Mary Ellen grew up in Tulsa and attended Immaculate Conception Grade School. The Ur-sulines
administered this school until the Sisters of Providence assumed leadership in 1946
when Mary Ellen was in seventh grade. The late Sister Clare Therese Bullock, who was
Mary Ellen’s teacher, made a lasting impression on her.
“She represented to me all the wonderful things about religious life. I was teacher’s pet, too!”
said Mary Ellen, who received a few music lessons from Sister Marie Brendan Harvey.
Although she was taught by several religious congregations in her early life, it was the
Sisters of Providence who won her heart. In 1949, Mary Ellen left her parents’ home in
Photo above:
Sister Mary Mo-loney
checks out
the Providence
Associate pin of
Mary Ellen Fox
(left). Sister Mary
was Mary Ellen’s
companion. Continued on page 15
www.SistersofProvidence.org 15
Tulsa and entered the Juniorate, a secondary school
for girls at the Woods. At the end of her junior year
in 1951, Mary Ellen left the Woods and graduated
from Monte Cassino High School
in Tulsa. In January of 1952, she
entered the University of Tulsa
where she studied business and
discovered a new world in music.
“The chorus at [the University
of] Tulsa was considered at the
time the best one in the United
States,” said Mary Ellen, who is
very Irish, including her birthday
on St. Patrick’s Day.
The chorus in which Mary Ellen sang was directed
by Arthur Hestwood. A mezzo-soprano, Mary Ellen
was a member of the Arthur Hestwood Radio Choir
(later Chorus). “We broadcast every week on the
university’s radio station,” said Mary Ellen, refer-ring
to FM station KWGS.
For several summers, Mary Ellen was soloist with
the Starlight Concert Band that presented free con-certs
in the university’s stadium. The concerts were
all Broadway shows such as “South Pacific,” “Briga-doon”
and “Oklahoma.” She had all nine solos
when “The Sound of Music” was presented in 1960.
“Oh, that was a thrill to sing before 6,000 people,”
said Mary Ellen, who has a recording of “A Memo-ry
Away” available on iTunes.
In 1955, Mary Ellen took a job in district sales with
U.S. Steel. She worked there the next 29 years. In
the 1980s and ’90s, to supplement her pension, she
worked as a travel agent. However, Mary Ellen con-tinued
to pursue her first passion — music.
In the 1950s, she was a member of the highly
regarded Tulsa Opera. In the 1960s, she studied in
summer workshops with Russian-born conductor
and opera producer Boris Goldovsky. She was the
principal soloist for 28 years at a Protestant church
in Tulsa, and for 15 years, she was the cantor at the
Church of the Madalene, her parish church. In her
“spare time,” Mary Ellen taught voice lessons.
“I think I’ve earned a little bit of retirement,” said
Mary Ellen, referring to her singing in church.
However, she stays very active. She leads the Rosary
after Mass on Wednesday evenings at her church,
and each week she hosts a meal followed by a
religious-themed movie and discussion. Mary El-len
still loves to travel, having visited Ireland often
where she entertained at Ashford Castle, County
Mayo. She also visits family in
St. Louis and tries to visit the
Woods as often as possible.
The firm foundation in life that
Mary Ellen received from the
Sisters of Providence has in-spired
her to share financially
with the Congregation. “They
took care of me for two years
— educated me, clothed me, fed
me, housed me — and I think
it’s payback time,” said Mary Ellen, who has re-membered
the sisters in her will.
Indeed, Mary Ellen gives glory to God through
her voice and helps bring light to so many others
through her gifts to the Congregation.
For more information on planned giving, contact
Sister Joan Zlogar at jzlogar@spsmw.org or
812-535-2811.
www.smwc.edu
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introducing ...
Continued from page 14
I was told I began
singing when I was 14
months old. My mother
was a wonderful singer,
and I swear she taught
me before I was born.
“
”
H
16 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Alumnae news
Alums support Providence Hall renovation
Thank you to all our alums who have answered
the call to help support the Providence Hall reno-vation!
Several of the alumnae
associations have donated their
reunion raffle proceeds to the
renovation. Many others have con-tributed
individually to the capital
campaign. What a wonderful trib-ute
to our sisters and to each and
every one of our alumnae/i who
continue to help foster the min-istries
and life of our Providence
Family.
I am shining a spotlight on two
reunions of the many that took
place in these past months. The
Marywood Anaheim/Orange alum-nae
celebrated with a reunion
weekend at the Doubletree Suites
in Anaheim, Calif. We had a great
time preparing for the event and
all the planning paid off with 125
very happy women in attendance.
We began Friday night with a
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin presentation (aka
Sister Sue Paweski) followed by a social. Saturday’s
luncheon was filled with balloons,
raffles and smiling and teary faces.
Sister Carol Nolan and Martha
Langarcia shared the Providence in
the Desert story. Sunday was a day
to enjoy the sights. Plan for the
next all-school reunion in three
years!
The Providence High School
all-school reunion had more
alumnae than expected with 260
in attendance. A very special guest
alumna was Sister Edwardine
McNulty, class of 1936. Sister
Edwardine accepted the gift of
$50,000 from the alumnae as-sociation
toward Providence Hall
renovation. She explained how
she and the other sisters at the
Woods have benefitted from the
generosity of our alumnae/i. Sister
Edwardine’s energy is contagious!
The donations and prayerful support of our
alumnae/i from St. John Academy, Indianapolis;
Marywood, Evanston, Ill.; St. Columbkille, Chicago;
Immaculata, Washington, D.C. (IPS, IJC, Dunblane);
St. Rose, Vincennes, Ind.; St. Rose, Chelsea, Mass.;
and St. Agnes, Indianapolis, are gratefully ac-cepted.
Several other alumnae associations are
planning reunions. Contact me at 773-463-2478 or
spaweski@spsmw.org for more information. Don’t
forget to mark your calendars for the Heart-to-
Heart fund raiser on Feb. 13, 2011!
Sister Sue Paweski
Top photo: Sister Edwardine McNulty (front, right)
accepts a check for the renovation of Providence Hall.
Also pictured with her are (front, left): Sister Marie
Brendan Harvey and (back, left to right): Therese
Donatello and Sister Sue Paweski.
Bottom photo: Posing for a photo from the Marywood,
Orange, Calif., reunion are (left to right): Moira
Niehaus Fisher (’79), Terry McDonell Winkler (’79),
Helen Mae Almas (faculty) and Mary Waters Nicoll
(’79). (Submitted photos)
www.SistersofProvidence.org 17
2011 golf scramble date set: Sept. 16 at Hulman Links
Thirty-six teams participated in the 2010
Hole-y-One Golf Scramble tournament
held Sept. 17 at Hulman Links Golf
Course in Terre Haute, Ind. This was
a record number for this event. There
were two flights and participants enjoyed
a beautiful, sunny day. Three divi-sions
(women’s, men’s and mixed) were
awarded prizes. A tasty lunch and great
camaraderie rounded out the day for par-ticipants,
with proceeds going to support
many Wabash Valley ministries sponsored
by the Sisters of Providence. Save the
date — next year’s event will be Sept.
16, 2011, at Hulman Links Golf Course.
For information, visit www.spsmw.org or
contact Diane Weidenbenner at 812-535-
2802 or dweidenb@spsmw.org. Right,
the afternoon flight of golfers get ready
to tee off. (Photo by Christina Blust)
18 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Newsnotes
Champion trees adorn Woods
Thousands of trees adorn the landscape on and
around the motherhouse grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-
Woods, but one tree stands alone as a cham-pion.
A tamarack tree near Corbe House recently
was named as a Big Tree State Champion, the first
tree at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to be selected for
that honor.
The tamarack (larix laricina) stands at a height of
78 feet with a circumference of 102.50 inches and a
crown spread of 12.62 feet
In April 1999, an Eastern Hemlock (tsuga canaden-sis)
was named a Vigo County Big Tree Champion
with measurements of 50.60 feet in height, 82.00
inches in circumference and 19.35 in crown spread.
A tamarack tree also was selected as Vigo County
Big Tree Champion in 1999 with a height of 46.50
feet, circumference of 97.50 inches and a crown
spread of 26.50 feet.
One year later, another tree was named Vigo
County Big Tree Champion. A Kentucky coffee
tree (gymnocladus dioicus) was measured at 83.40
feet tall, 135.00 inches in circumference and crown
spread of 18.90 feet.
About 70 different species of trees can be found at
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, many of which are na-tive
to the region. The Indiana Big Tree program
is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources Division of Forestry. Trees Inc. of Terre
Haute presented the award.
Saint Mother Theodore honored
Another honor was bestowed recently on Saint
Mother Theodore Guerin, adding to the long list
of accolades that call attention to her contributions
to society and her devotion to God.
The Society of Indiana Pioneers recently designated
her as a Pioneer Founder of Indiana. One person
from each Indiana county will receive that distinc-tion
during the next five years as Indiana prepares
for its Bicentennial in 2016.
Her contributions were recognized at the 95th annual
meeting of the Society of Indiana Pioneers on Nov.
6. The organization identified her advancement
of education by establishing a number of schools
throughout the state and in other states. Honor also
was given to her canonization in 2006.
In 2007 the organization honored her as a Hoosier
Pioneer. The Society of Indiana Pioneers was
established in 1916 in conjunction with the state’s
centennial celebration with the intention to honor
the memory and work of the early settlers who
opened the state to exploration and continued its
development.
From left, Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior,
Sister Ann Casper, executive director of the Office of
Congregational Advancement (OCA), and Ruth Hallam,
associate director, lead the dedication ceremony for
the Providence Paver memorial brick program on Oct.
2. The bricks at the fountain at the end of The Avenue
were blessed with an Evergreen bough dipped in holy
water prior to a Eucharistic Liturgy held in the Church
of the Immaculate Conception. Providence Pavers may
still be purchased and engraved to memorialize or
honor a loved one. For more information, contact Ruth
at rhallam@spsmw.org or 812-535-2806. (Photo by
Diane Weidenbenner)
Pavers dedicated
www.SistersofProvidence.org 19
SP social media recognized
The Sisters of Providence were recognized for a
“best practice” for social media marketing by the
National Communicators Network for Women
Religious (NCNWR) at their annual conference
Sept. 22-24 in Denver.
The best practices portion of the conference was
designed to showcase the best work among
NCNWR members during the last year. A presenta-tion
about the Sisters of Providence social media
work was given by Rosie Blankenship, website
manager, and Christina Blust, graphic designer/pho-tography
coordinator.
The Sisters of Providence use various forms of
social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr,
YouTube and more, to help share the mission and
ministry of the Congregation.
In the last year, the Sisters of Providence have seen
a growth in interest in vocations, as well as other
activities, which is believed to be directly related to
social media and website work.
Congregation hosts convention
NASPA (National Association of Shrines and Pil-grimage
Apostolate) held its 2010 Convention Nov.
8-11 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. NASPA chose
the Woods as its convention site since the national
Shrine of Saint Mother
Theodore Guerin is located
here.
Sister Barbara Doherty,
a NASPA member, helped
to host the group’s visit to
west-central Indiana. Sister
Barbara serves as coordina-tor
of Saint Mother Theo-dore’s
Shrine located in the
Church of the Immaculate
Conception.
Convention highlights
included a tour of the
motherhouse grounds led
by Sister Nancy Nolan, a
former general superior of
the Congregation, and a talk
by Sister Denise Wilkinson,
general superior, who shared her thoughts about
Saint Mother Theodore.
The NASPA group attended Eucharistic Liturgy
in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in
addition to Mass in St. Joseph University Parish in
Terre Haute and Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis
Xavier during a visit to Vincennes, Ind.
To read more about the NASPA Convention, please
visit www.SistersofProvidence.org and look for
the “As seen in HOPE” link.
It’s all about alpacas!
White Violet Farm Alpacas at Saint Mary-of-the-
Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence,
participated in National Farm Alpaca Days in
September with an open house where interested
persons could meet the alpacas up close and talk
with those who care for them.
Since the herd is raised for sales, breeding services
and fiber production it was the perfect opportunity
for those who were interested in starting an alpaca
farm to visit and ask questions about everything
from daily care to what is done with their fiber.
Learn more about the Sisters of Providence alpacas
at www.WhiteViolet.org.
(Photo by Cheryl Casselman)
Obituaries
20 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Sister Jean Patrice Keenon April 2, 1920-Aug. 6, 2010
“Sister Jean Patrice was effective as a teacher because of her infinite patience.”
Entering the Congregation Feb. 2, 1939, Sister Jean Patrice ministered in education in
Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina. She also served as activity director at Providence
Retirement Home, New Albany, Ind.
Sister Ann Miriam Zell Dec. 4, 1913-Aug. 11, 2010
“Sister Ann Miriam prayed a lot. And if you asked her to pray for something, she did.”
Sister Ann Miriam entered the Congregation on Aug. 20, 1932. For nearly five decades
she ministered as an educator in schools in Illinois and California. She returned to the
Woods in 2000.
Sister Marie Eleanor Shaw Feb. 27, 1916-Aug. 27, 2010
“Sister Marie Eleanor was an excellent primary teacher and a fine principal.”
Sister Marie Eleanor Shaw entered the Congregation Aug. 22, 1933, and spent more than
five decades in education. She ministered in Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, California
and Illinois. She returned to the Woods in 1993.
Sister Grace Stewart Feb. 20, 1914-Sept. 1, 2010
“At the age of 90, Sister Grace learned to use the computer and the Internet to expand her
knowledge and to keep in touch with the times.”
Entering the Congregation Aug. 20, 1929, Sister Grace ministered in education more than
three decades. Her pedagogical missions were located in Illinois, Indiana, New Hampshire
and Washington, D.C. For several years, she served as a nurses’ aide in health care at the
Woods. She returned to the Woods in 1994.
Sister Margaret Ann McNamara (formerly Sister Marie Nicholas) Aug. 5, 1935-Sept. 1, 2010
“A genuine spirit of joy and laughter were signatures of Sister Margaret Ann’s interaction
with others.”
Sister Margaret Ann entered the Congregation July 22, 1955. She ministered in educa-tion
in Indiana and Illinois. She served many years at the American Society of Clinical
In memory
“I sleep, but my heart watches … ” — Song of Songs
Continued on page 21
www.SistersofProvidence.org 21
Pathologists, Chicago. She also ministered at Wheaton Franciscan Services as well as the
Archdiocese of Chicago in the Permanent Deacon Program. Sister Margaret Ann served on
the Congregation’s General Council from 1996 to 2001.
Sister Ann Renee Maxwell June 8, 1929-Sept. 6, 2010
“Sister Ann Renee’s kindness, compassion and concern for her patients were well known
and appreciated.”
Sister Ann Renee entered the Congregation July 22, 1948. For more than two decades she
ministered in education in Illinois, Maryland, Indiana and Missouri. After earning her
LPN, Sister Ann Renee ministered in health-care facilities at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and
Chicago. She returned to the Woods in 2000.
Sister Gertrude Eileen Getrey Sept. 7, 1908-Oct. 2, 2010
“Sister Gertrude Eileen had qualities of total understanding and compassion in her teaching.”
At her death at the age of 102, Sister Gertrude Eileen lived through 10 popes, from Pope
Leo XIII to Pope Benedict XVI, and 11 general superiors of the Sisters of Providence,
from Mother Mary Cleophas Foley to Sister Denise Wilkinson. She entered the Congrega-tion
June 5, 1925. For more than five decades, Sister Gertrude Eileen taught elementary
school in Indiana, Illinois and Massachusetts. Sisters and nurses who cared for Sister Ger-trude
Eileen remembered her as clear, right up to the end, and as concerned about others.
Sister Thomasine Griffin Aug. 30, 1925-Oct. 23, 2010
“Sister Thomasine was a great teacher because, like Saint Mother Theodore, she loved her
students first and then taught them.”
Sister Thomasine entered the Congregation July 20, 1942. She spent more than four de-cades
as either a teacher or principal in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Texas and Massachu-setts.
Sister Thomasine also spent several years in provincial leadership for the Congrega-tion.
Sister Thomasine returned to the Woods in 2000.
Sister Marianne McGriffin (formerly Sister Trinita Marie) May 5, 1926-Oct. 24, 2010
“As strong as her beloved icons and as malleable as her first love, clay, Sister Marianne
revealed God and reveled in God’s creation in ways large and small.”
Entering the Congregation on Feb. 2, 1944, Sister Marianne ministered in education in
Illinois, Indiana and Maryland for more than 20 years. She spent another two decades in
religious education in Indiana and Kentucky. For many years she operated Open SPaces,
a center where body, mind and spirit could come together in creativity, reflection, prayer
and praise. Upon returning to the Woods in 2006 until her death, she was an iconographer.
To read the entire obituary for a sister, visit www.SistersofProvidence.org and look for the
“As seen in HOPE” link.
Providence Associate Diane Stephens, Midlothian, Ill., died Nov. 24, 2010.
Continued from page 20
22 HOPE // WINTER 2011
Upcoming events
Calendar
See “Upcoming events” at www.SistersofProvidence.org for more information.
February
12 Fun with Brioche Cooking Class at Clabber Girl kitchen, Terre Haute, Ind., 10 a.m.-
noon (EST). Learn a few basic recipes with instructor Candace Minster of White Violet
Center for Eco-Justice. Cost is $20. Contact Clabber Girl’s April Osburn at 812-478-7113
or aosburn@clabbergirl.com.
18-19 Nun Run, Indianapolis. Visit various religious congregations over the two days.
Contact Sister Jenny Howard at 1-800-860-1840, ext. 2897, or jhoward@spsmw.org.
19 Felted Slippers at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. Turn alpaca fleece into warm
slippers with instructor Sister Maureen Freeman, CSJ. Cost is $50. Registration deadline:
Feb. 16. Contact Robyn Morton at 812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
20-March 6 2011 Annual Phonathon
26 Come and See Day, Boston, for women ages 18-42 who may be considering religious
life, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST), St. John the Evangelist Parish, Winthrop, Mass. Contact
Sister Jenny Howard at 1-800-860-1840, ext. 2897, or jhoward@spsmw.org.
26 Alpaca 102 at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST). This is a
hands-on approach to learning about skirting, carding, washing and felting alpaca fiber.
Cost is $35 (includes lunch). Registration deadline is Feb. 26. Contact Robyn Morton at
812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
March
12 Alpaca 101 at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EST). One-day
workshop on the fundamentals of raising alpacas. Cost is $50 per person or $75 for two
from the same family or farm (includes lunch). Registration deadline: March 4. Contact
Robyn Morton at 812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
17-20 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Anaheim, Calif. Visit us at our booth.
18-19 Beginning Spinning at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. Class is designed for
beginners. Cost is $50. Begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, 9 a.m. on Saturday. Registration
deadline is March 11. Contact Robyn Morton at 812-535-2932 or rmorton@spsmw.org.
Did you know that a majority of adult Americans do not have wills? Are you one of them?
Making out a will could be the most important document you will prepare in your lifetime
If you die suddenly, and have no will, the state in which you live will appoint a guard-ian
for any minor children involved and an executor to manage how your assets will be
distributed.
For a complimentary copy of our booklet, Planning Your Will: Charitable Insights and
Options, contact Sister Joan Zlogar, planned giving manager, at jzlogar@spsmw.org or
812-535-2811. Visit www.SistersofProvidence.org for more information about wills.
One of the most important documents? A will
www.SistersofProvidence.org 23
Construction progress
SSnnaappsshhoottss ooff PPrroovviiddeennccee Haallll rreennoovvaattiioonn
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Indianapolis
Indiana
Permit No. 593
Office of Congregational Advancement
1 Sisters of Providence
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876
FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
Prroviidence Hallll:: ssttiillll goiing ssttrrong